The NPL Queensland season is drawing towards its pointy end, meaning sides are working as hard as ever to grab competition points.
Sunshine Coast Fire v Western Pride FC
Sunshine Coast Stadium
Saturday, 23 June, 2:00pm
Pride looking to stay in top spot
Sunshine Coast Fire grabbed their first points since Round 11 on the weekend with a 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar Youth FC.
The red and yellow will hope for a similar result this round, when they face off against joint competition leaders Western Pride.
The Ipswich-based side took their season tally to 66 goals and improved on their impressive goal difference on the weekend, which may become crucial come season’s end.
SWQ Thunder v Olympic FC
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Saturday, 23 June, 5:00pm
Thunder to storm back to winning ways
Olympic FC were forced to settle for a draw in Round 17, sharing the points with Moreton Bay United at home. No such result will be desired this weekend however, when they take on 10th placed SWQ Thunder.
Olympic will consider every remaining game crucial, with a loss potentially sending them down to fourth.
The Thunder themselves will look to re-join the winners circle, as a loss to Brisbane Strikers stopped a potential four game winning streak. A win may also see SWQ jump to ninth spot, potentially leapfrogging Brisbane Roar Youth FC.
Lions FC v Magpies Crusaders FC
Lions Stadium
Saturday, June 23, 6:00pm
Lions on the prowl
Lions FC will no doubt be happy with their attacking performance last weekend, a strong 6-0 result. It was the first time since Round 13 Lions scored more than one goal.
Sitting only three points behind the competition leaders, the Richlands-based side will look to not only find another win, but also continue to improve on that ever important goal difference.
The travelling Magpies Crusaders will be keen to bounce back from a 5-0 touch up against Western Pride, in what will be their third consecutive road trip.
Gold Coast United FC v Brisbane Strikers
Station Reserve
Saturday, June 23, 6:00pm
Strikers to travel down the M1
The side from Brisbane’s inner north found two late goals to defeat SWQ Thunder, but will hope they can grab three points in a less stressful fashion this weekend.
United themselves will hope to turn their fortunes around, as their last two fixtures have both been 5-1 defeats.
A win for Strikers would see them keep up with the competition’s top four.
Brisbane City FC v Cairns FC
Corporate Travel Management Stadium
Saturday, June 23, 6:30pm
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Two sides with top four in mind
Brisbane City and Cairns FC were able to secure big victories in their last games, both winning by a four-goal margin.
Cairns FC will again travel to Brisbane, where they will face Brisbane City FC. Currently sitting 14 points behind fourth, and three points behind their sixth place opponents, this fixture is one to win for the Far North Queensland side.
North QLD United v Moreton Bay United FC
Brolga Park
Saturday, June 23, 7:00pm
Brolga Park redemption mission
North QLD United will be set on restoring some pride to Brolga Park, after suffering a 6-0 defeat on the weekend to the hands of Lions FC.
This mission will impose yet another strong competitor, as Moreton Bay United make the trip to Townsville.
Moreton Bay United have their own agenda, as they work hard to remain inside the NPL’s top four.
Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Redlands United FC
Logan Metro Sports Complex
Sunday, June 24, 7:00pm
Can Brisbane Youth roar against Redlands?
Brisbane Roar Youth FC found their first points since Round 9 last Sunday, scoring and conceding one goal against Sunshine Coast Fire.
They again host the Sunday NPL fixture, this time welcoming Redlands United to Logan Metro Sports Complex.
The red and white of Redlands will look to tighten their defensive screws, conceding six goals in their last game.
Redland currently sit only one point above the competition’s relegation zone.
Words: Tyler Sunderland
Image: Chris Simpson
